This Salmon Patties Recipe makes flaky, tender, and flavorful fritters with crisp edges and plenty of flaked salmon, the hallmark of the very best salmon patties. These are so easy to make with leftover cooked salmon or canned salmon and work great as an appetizer, side, or main dish.
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Each week, my whole family gathers at my mom’s house for Sunday night dinner, potluck style. I love to bring easy-to-transport appetizers and sides, like my Jalapeno Poppers, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Grape Jelly Meatballs, that make it easy for a crowd of people to feast!
These Salmon Patties are perfect for our family meals since they travel well, stay crispy, and can be served using just your fingers (ok, you could also use a serving utensil, but that’s extra dishes!).
Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
My whole family loves to eat these easy salmon patties, especially served with my Homemade Tartar Sauce, and I love how easy it is to make!
If you’re looking to start with fresh salmon, you’ll love our Salmon Cakes Recipe, but this recipe for salmon patties is a smart way to make a quick batch on busy weeknights with either leftover cooked salmon or well-drained, canned salmon (or even salmon packets) which you may already have in your pantry.
These are such a treat, and even folks who don’t usually like salmon enjoy this recipe. They always disappear fast and are even faster to make.
How to Make Salmon Patties
- Cook the Veggies – Saute the onion and bell pepper in a pan for 7-9 minutes and then remove from heat.
- Mix the Patties – Mix salmon, peppers and onions, bread crumbs, egg, mayo, Worcestershire, garlic salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl. Then, use a heaping Tablespoon to measure the mixture and your hands to form patties.
- Cook the Patties – Melt oil and butter in a clean skillet, and place the salmon patties into the skillet in one layer, sauteeing each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Place cooked patties on a paper-towel-lined plate, and then serve, garnished with fresh parsley.
How to Serve Salmon Patties
You can also serve these salmon patties for lunch, dinner or appetizers – they are versatile and can even be served in Hamburger Buns as salmon burgers, simply form them a little larger in step 3. They also pair well with these dishes:
- Strawberry Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
- Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Smashed Potato Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
Make-Ahead
Cool any leftover salmon patties and store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
- To Refrigerate: place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: freeze for up to 3 months
- To Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge. You can eat the patty cold or reheat in a skillet or air fryer until heated through
This recipe for Salmon Patties will soon become your favorite appetizer or main dish. The crispy outside and moist, flavorful inside work perfectly with my homemade tartar sauce. Try this easy recipe today!
More Easy Salmon Recipes
Once you have tried this Salmon Patties recipe, check out some of my Best Salmon Recipes.
- Baked Salmon Recipe
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Tuscan Salmon
- Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter
Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
Ingredients
- 14-15 oz canned salmon or salmon in packets, well drained
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, 1 cup, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise*
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic salt, or sub with 1/2 tsp fine sea salt and 1/4 tsp garlic powder, or season to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely minced
Instructions
- Set a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Add diced onion and bell pepper and saute until golden and softened (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flaked salmon, sautéed pepper and onion, bread crumbs, beaten eggs, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Form into patties (about a heaping Tablespoonful each) and mold with your hands into 2" wide by 1/3 to 1/2" thick patties.*
- In a clean non-stick pan, heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter until hot then add salmon patties in a single layer. Saute for 3 to 4 min per side or until golden brown and cooked through. If salmon patties brown too fast, reduce heat. Remove finished patties to a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining oil, butter, and salmon patties.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
I just happen to have some salmon filets in the freezer, so I may give these a try next weekend. I was wondering…do you think I could bake these instead of frying them?
Hello Janet, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. One of my readers reported good results baking but I haven’t heard back with the details on bake time and temperature. If you test it out that way, let me know how you like them baked.
I just tried out this recipe (had to omit a couple things because I just didn’t have them and can’t hop out to the grocery store), but overall turned out fantastic! Quarantine meal for the win!! Btw, I love watching your videos on Facebook!
Yay so awesome that it worked great without the other ingredients. Thanks for your great feedback and for always watching my videos!
Natasha,
I know I’m late to the game- but during this week made some salmon that didn’t really come out that great. I wouldn’t have eaten it again but didn’t want to waste, so I made this recipe and it came out fantastic!!!!
I’m so glad you found and enjoyed our recipe, Lisa! That’s so great!
These salmon patties have become a favorite meal for my husband and me. A great way to serve a more informal version of Atlantic salmon.
We like it with the homemade tartare sauce, shoestring fries and salad.
That’s just awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This looks like an amazing dish I’ve made them before but used can so I was looking for a recipe with fresh fish. I’ll be using this one and I like to make a half in half of cream of mushroom cream of cheddar soup and drizzle it over like a gravy type thing. I will be trying this tonight…
Thank You
Sounds like a good plan, Randell. Please share with us how it goes. Enjoy!
I did make these salmon patties about 10 days ago. Just got back on here to print it, before I lose it. I failed to take a photo though…”I sorry”. They were really good. I did substitute with canned salmon. I am sure fresh salmon is better……but way more costly. My budget only allowed me to get canned salmom. With the homemade tartar sauce they are exquisitely delicious. A dish anyone should love. And relatively easy. I too Love FiestaWare. I have wanted a full set ever since I first saw them. And I know exactly what mix of colors, I want. Thank you for sharing your recipes. God Bless.
No worries Elizabeth. I hope you can share a picture next time you make it again. I hope you love every recipe that you try!
Hi Natasha: I have been looking for a good salmon recipe and this one looks delicious. I am going to give it a try. Thanks
I hope you love it, Donna!
Why do you cook the salmon first? Wouldn’t it make more sense to dice salmon raw, saute the vegetables and then mix everything? It would make a more moist product and not as dry.
Tnoughts?
Hi Corey, I haven’t had any issue with this being dry. It’s also a great way to use up leftover salmon or even canned salmon.
I have made this several times and it always pleases. I especially like the salmon preparation. It adds another dimension to the dish!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made these tonight using canned salmon from Trader Joe’s, they were fabulous! I cheated on the tarter sauce because I didn’t have all of the ingredients on hand, just put sweet relish in some mayo. I will definitely make these again!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I didn’t know salmon patties could be so good! Mine have been pretty boring in the past. I did have to use dried bread crumbs instead of panko because that was what was in the cupboard – but otherwise, wouldn’t change a thing. Delicious. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Ok Natasha,
All the reviews have encouraged me to try your recipe over the one I usually make. My son has been at me to make him some next time he comes to visit, which will be soon. I’ll let you know what he says.
I hope you and he love this recipe! This one is pretty popular on our blog, can’t wait to hear how you like that.
I wanted to make fish cakes for years. I didn’t dare to buy those from shop, but couldn’t motivate myself to try at home too. So when I came across your recipe and it looks so easy to make – I decided to try. So so tasty! I shared it with my Latvian friend and she loves them too. Thanks for this lovely recipe Natasha!
Aww that’s the best Kasia! Thank you for that wonderful feedback!
Made these for supper tonight. My husband loved them. Next time I make them, I’ll use less Pankhurst, I could taste that more than the salmon. But it is a keeper recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
I have been making these for years, only add fresh dill instead of parsley, but love your tartar sauce.
Thanks for sharing, Carol!
Turned out great!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Diana!
Just made these this evening, double batch since I have two teens and one of my kids had a friend over. Served with mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Big hit even with my teen daughter and her friend. Wife was a little skeptical but loved them and the tartar sauce too. Used canned wild caught Salmon since we were short on time and still great.
That is the best when kids love what we moms make. That’s so great!
Lol, yeah well we dad’s cook too.
Yes, yes you do! Parents* would be more appropriate here! Thank you, Nathan!
Hi Natasha, I made this recipe tonight using canned salmon. Delicious!!! My husband really liked them. I’ll be making these again. By the way I love your blog and many other of your recipes. Thanks for sharing
I’m so happy to hear you liked that, Deb! Thank you for that awesome feedback!
These salmon cakes are easy, simple and DELICIOUS!! You must make the tater sauce too!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Liz!
Have made this a few times! The family loves it as well as the homemade tartar sauce. Than k you for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you & your family enjoyed it.
I made this recipe tonight and was a hit the homemade tartar sauce was awesome too
That’s so great, Charlotte! Thank you for that great feedback!
So delicious Natasha, thank you so much., I used canned wild salmon
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Pam!